I went out to lunch with Mom and Dad this past Sunday before Veterans Day. There was a crowd waiting to be seated. A woman held the restaurant door open for Mom, Dad and me. I think she was teasing when she said she would open the door for us if we promised not to take their table. I Laughed. The woman and her husband were waiting outside for the crowd to dwindle.

After a few seconds, the couple entered the restaurant. For some reason Dad started talking to them. He told the man that he was 82 years young, and that he was grateful to be able to get out and about like he was. Dad also told the gentleman that he was a World War 11 Veteran. The man immediately thanked Dad for the service that he provided for the United States. Just at that moment, a waitress called the couple’s name. The woman asked the waitress to seat us first. Before we started off for the table Dad and I both thanked the couple. I noticed that the waitress sat the couple down a few tables over from us. I also noticed that the couple was served their meal before us. I smiled, they were already reaping for their good deed!

We were halfway finished with our lunch, when a waitress came and squatted down at the end of our table. She had tears in her eyes as she told us that our entire tab had been paid for by a gentleman who wanted to thank Dad for fighting for our country the way he did, when he was just barely eighteen years old. Dad, Mom and I all had tears spilling from our eyes.

Dad said, “See, there still are some good people around!” However, the way I see it, it’s the power of the Christmas spirit! It’s all around us everyday! Sometimes we just see the spirit more clearly.

I have some sad news! Duke, my handsome dog and constant companion for ten years died suddenly near the end of October. We were both over at a friend’s house when it happened. Earlier that day he was all puppy like, butt and tail wagging, grinning ear to ear happy to be going somewhere, so puppy like. It always put a smile on my face to see him so happy!

Throughout the day however, I noticed something was off about him. Well, it had been coming on for months, but I didn’t want to see it! . I won’t go into it, but by eight o’clock he was gone, and I was numb!

I’m so grateful We weren’t at home and alone when it happened. I do not think I could handle living at home if Duke had passed there. One of my friends living living in the house is a Native American, and he took care of Duke at the very end. Charlie got Duke out of the house, cleaned him up, wrapped Duke up in an Indian blanket, and offered up a prayer.

Both of my sisters and a nephew were able to come to my aid shortly afterwards. I couldn’t cry in my friend’s house, but once I was in Carol’s car, the tears came. The hardest moments are those times when I forget for a second that Duke is not here anymore, and I start to to call him. I feel like he’s still right here beside me; I just can not feel or see him any more. I have lots of memories of Duke, and that’s what is getting me by now!